Framingham State senior from Melrose killed in pedestrian accident near campus

A 21-year-old student at Framingham State University was killed when she was hit by two cars while trying to cross Route 9 Friday night, according to officials.

Senior Colleen Kelly was hit on the busy street near Maynard Road while crossing toward campus just after 10 p.m., said Framingham Police Lieutenant Ronald Brandolini.

Kelly made it to the median, but was hit by a car when she stepped into the other half of the road, Brandolini said. The impact threw her onto the other side of the road, where she was hit by another car. There is no crosswalk at the spot where Kelly tried to cross.

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The drivers of both cars stopped, Brandolini said. No arrests have been made and no charges issued.

Kelly was pronounced dead at the scene.

A section of Route 9 was closed following the crash. Framingham and State Police are investigating.

In an interview this afternoon, Dennis Kelly said his daughter was striving to be a teacher. An English major, Kelly loved to read books, her father said. She also enjoyed classic movies and dabbled in film courses.

“She never got in trouble. She’ll be missed, for sure,” said Kelly. “She was a sweetheart.”

Kelly graduated from Melrose High School in 2009. Dennis Kelly said his family has lived in the city for 25 years.

Dennis Kelly said he does not know why his daughter crossed the road where she did.

“We’re trying to find out that answer. She was going to meet a friend earlier in the evening and was meeting another friend after,” he said. “We always tell her to be careful, and I don’t know why she did that.”

According to a statement the university released this morning, Kelly lived in the Peirce Hall dorm.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with Colleen’s family, friends and fellow students,” President Timothy J. Flanagan said in the statement. “This tragic loss is felt by the entire Framingham State community. I know we will all be relying on each other for support during this difficult time.”

Counselors will be on campus all weekend to speak with students and staff, the statement said.